From Lab to Community: A Collaborative Approach for Education and Awareness on Microplastics
Cologne International Forum Innovative Tandem Collaboration: 1 December 2023 - 30 November 2024
Dr. Binaya Pattnaik (Pune, India)
Partner at the University of Cologne: Prof. Christina Bogner (Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institute of Geography)
Abstract
Presence of microplastic in water, soil, sediment, and human tissues is a growing global concern due to their environmental and health risks. These small plastic particles, unlike larger macroplastics, are not easily visible but can enter the food chain, persist in the environment, and travel long distances, posing significant ecosystem threats. The project aims to raise awareness and educate students and teachers about plastic pollution, focusing on microplastics in diverse ecosystems through research, education, and outreach activities.
This initiative builds on a longstanding collaboration between the University of Cologne (UoC), Germany, and Bharati Vidyapeeth University (BVU), India. It will create laboratory facilities to research microplastics, leveraging expertise from both universities. A hybrid course will be developed to enhance joint teaching efforts, addressing plastic pollution in an interdisciplinary manner. Additionally, an extensive outreach program will target school children, teachers, and the general public to educate them on the harmful effects of plastics and encourage proactive measures through workshops, campaigns, and interactive activities. The project seeks to foster scientific understanding and environmental stewardship through collaborative research, teaching, and community engagement.
Dr. Binaya Pattnaik
Dr. Binaya Kumar Pattnaik is an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Environment Education & Research, Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Pune, India. Dr. Pattnaik is a Ph.D. holder in Environmental Geochemistry from NIT Rourkela, India. His research has been recognized by numerous peer-reviewed journals through research publications and citations. His research is focused on gaining an understanding of the migration of contaminants in various ecosystems. He is fascinated by the active interaction between various components of ecosystems and emerging contaminants such as microplastic. Dr. Pattnaik's commitment to research and education is oriented towards the advancement of environmental sciences, particularly in the comprehension and mitigation of emergent contaminations in natural resources.
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